Taiwanese Cinema Shines at 19th Annual Vancouver Film Festival
Vancouver, Sept. 6 (CNA) – Contemporary Taiwanese cinema took center stage this weekend as the 19th annual Vancouver taiwanese Film Festival concluded Saturday, showcasing the island nation’s vibrant storytelling and fostering cross-cultural dialog with Canadian filmmakers. The festival,themed “Perception and Reality - Through Taiwan’s Lens,” screened 21 films to an audience of approximately 200 attendees,including Canadian officials and members of the Taiwanese community.
The event highlights a growing exchange between Taiwan and Canada through the art of film, offering Canadian audiences a unique window into Taiwanese culture, social issues, and artistic innovation.Now in its third decade, the festival serves as a crucial platform for emerging and established Taiwanese filmmakers to connect with international audiences and collaborators, strengthening ties between taiwan and the global film community.
This year’s curated selection included award-winning features like daughter’s Daughter (女兒的女兒), Dìdi (弟弟), Doubles Match (乒乓男孩), Dead Talents Society (鬼才之道), and Salli (莎莉), alongside 16 documentaries and short films. These works explored diverse themes ranging from romance and social commentary to humanitarian efforts, the experiences of new immigrants, and Indigenous perspectives.
“The selection demonstrated the breadth and creativity of contemporary Taiwanese cinema,offering Canadian audiences a fresh visual experience,” said festival chair Charlene Liu.
Curator Apple Chang (張郁柔) emphasized the festival’s commitment to supporting the next generation of filmmakers, noting that panel discussions featuring Taiwanese and Canadian professionals covered key aspects of filmmaking – directing, editing, music, sound design, and the emerging role of AI in the industry. “The discussions gave young filmmakers guidance and opportunities to showcase their talents,” Chang stated.
The festival opened with a short film directed by Lai Chien-hung (賴建宏),a former radiologist who transitioned to filmmaking last year. his film poignantly depicts a young girl’s journey to cope with trauma following a plane crash.
canadian Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan and Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh, both in attendance at the opening ceremony, lauded Taiwan’s democratic values and diversity, recognizing film as a powerful tool for fostering understanding.Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver Director Liu Li-hsin (劉立欣) underscored the festival’s role in facilitating dialogue between creators and audiences in Taiwan and Canada,showcasing stories that reflect taiwan’s connections to both Canada and the wider world.
